Think about Marco Materazzi and the first thing that comes to mind is Zinedine Zidane headbutting him during the 2006 World Cup final.

Zidane got sent off and ended his career for France, while Materazzi returned home a World Cup winner for Italy.

After having hung up his boots in 2010, the Italian defender has been representing Inter Milan on a number of their projects — be it in establishing their academies around the world, conducting workshops for children or wearing their Nerrazuri tie in an ambassadorial role.

And it is that role that Matterazzi will fulfill when he comes to Bangalore on Friday.

Landing from Rome on Friday morning, the prolific goal-scoring defender is expected to watch a BDFA Super Division match between MEG and ADE at the Bangalore Football Stadium.  “Materazzi will be flying in directly from Rome on Friday morning. Apart from watching the Super Division match, there are also other activities planned,” sources said.

“About 4,500 passes have been made available for the people of the city to watch Materazi who will be the guest of honour for the match.”

After spending the day in Bangalore, Materazzi will fly out to Mumbai the next day before jetting off to Dubai on May 25. 

Meanwhile, Inter Milan’s academy in Hosur will be functional from June 1 with an official launch planned for the first week of September.

“We are planning to bring in the Inter legends – Javier Zanetti and Luis Figo. Even the Inter president Erick Thohrir has expressed an interest to take part in the launch – and since there is a FIFA window in the first week of September, we will hopefully get them to Hosur then,” the source added.

There is also an Inter Milan legends match up planned for September 6 or 7 to mark the launch of the academy.